Greased Lightning (1977)

Starring:

• Richard Pryor
• Beau Bridges 
• Pam Grier
• Cleavon Little
• Richie Havens
• Vincent Gardenia
• Julian Bond
• Earl Hindman

Storyline
This is the true story of Wendell Scott, America's first African American NASCAR driver, once he returns from WWII to find his hometown the way he left it. With seed money for a taxicab business, he learns all the county roads. With his new knowledge, an opportunity presents itself with some steep consequences. After an invitation to the local race track, a race car driver is born. Ethnic boundaries are a part of everyday life in 1950's American experience. You become part of his fight for equality, fairness, and the American dream.

Uptight! (1968)

 

Starring:

• Julian Mayfield
• Max Julien 
• Raymond St. Jacques
• Ruby Dee
• Frank Silvera
• Roscoe Lee Browne 
• Janet MacLachlan 
• Juanita Moore 
• Dick Anthony Williams 

 
Storyline
Uptight is an updated remake of John Ford's 1935 film, The Informer. Dublin becomes the Cleveland ghetto and the Irish Republicans are replaced by black revolutionary fighters. Days after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Tank Williams (Julian Mayfield) is an unemployed and itinerant steelworker who turns over his militant friend, Johnny Wells (Max Julien) to the police for $1,000 reward, resulting in an underground all-points bulletin to exact vengeance on the squealer. Legendary director, Jules Dassin's unrelenting directional pace is complemented by the driving score of Booker T. Jones. The stellar cast includes Raymond St. Jacques, Ruby Dee, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Frank Silvera.

Link to soundtrack review.
Booker T. & The MGs - Uptight! (1968)